Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh had an immeasurable impact on the architectural landscape of the city of Glasgow. Their designs have become as close associated the city as any other architect has with any other city.
From the Glasgow School of Art to House of an Art Lover, the footprint of the designers are all over the city.
However, the Willow Tea Rooms on Sauchiehall Street are one of the most recognisable and accessible in the city.
We’ve take a look back over the history of the tea rooms to find out why they are so important.
1. Mackintosh At The Willow
The Willow Tea Room on Sauchiehall Street opened its doors for the first time in October 1903 and became one of the city’s most famous tea rooms during the period. It was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh. Photo: dalbera on Flickr
2. Willow Tea Roms (far right) in 1914
The Willow Tea Room was a further collaboration between Mackintosh and Kate Cranston. The tea rooms were a response to the rise in the temperance movement. Cranston had conceived the idea of “art tea rooms” where people could enjoy non-alcoholic drinks in a variety of rooms within the same building.
| WikiCommons
3. Original Room de Luxe in 1903
The highlight of the Willow Tea Room was the Room de Luxe which was a ladies’ room overlooking Sauchiehall Street. Margaret MacDonald's most famous works, the gesso panel inspired by Rossetti's sonnet O Ye, all ye that walk in Willow Wood, is featured in the room. | Public Domain
4. Willow Tea Room facade in 1903
Cranston sold the business in 1917 and the building became Daly’s department store in 1928. The Room de Luxe was used as the department store's tea room until Daly’s eventual closure in the 1980s. | Public Domain